Abyss
11-11-2004, 07:38 AM
Blair primed for first Bush talks
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40511000/jpg/_40511093_blairbushap203.jpg
Tony Blair will fly to Washington on Thursday to become the first foreign leader to meet US President George Bush since his re-election.
The Iraq war, Middle East peace and global warming look set to be high on the talks agenda.
The prime minister's close relationship with the Republican president has come under fire from some Labour MPs.
Mr Blair has shrugged off such concerns and says Britain cannot achieve its aims in world affairs without US help.
Peace momentum
The Middle East peace process was expected to top the talks agenda, even before the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Thursday.
"I think the most important thing is to make sure we reinvigorate the peace process because there is misery for Palestinians, there is misery for Israelis who suffer terrorist activity," Mr Blair told GMTV.
"And in the meantime we have got a situation where it is a huge source of discontent and problems within the world so it is important we deal with it."
Continued - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4000265.stm
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40511000/jpg/_40511093_blairbushap203.jpg
Tony Blair will fly to Washington on Thursday to become the first foreign leader to meet US President George Bush since his re-election.
The Iraq war, Middle East peace and global warming look set to be high on the talks agenda.
The prime minister's close relationship with the Republican president has come under fire from some Labour MPs.
Mr Blair has shrugged off such concerns and says Britain cannot achieve its aims in world affairs without US help.
Peace momentum
The Middle East peace process was expected to top the talks agenda, even before the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Thursday.
"I think the most important thing is to make sure we reinvigorate the peace process because there is misery for Palestinians, there is misery for Israelis who suffer terrorist activity," Mr Blair told GMTV.
"And in the meantime we have got a situation where it is a huge source of discontent and problems within the world so it is important we deal with it."
Continued - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4000265.stm